Discover New Zealand’s Award Winning City
Under snow-capped Mount Taranaki unfolds the vibrant city of New Plymouth. Midway between Auckland and Wellington, this active center of the Taranaki region offers plenty of opportunity for outdoor adventure from its crowning peaks to its coastal plains.
Explore this award-winning city like the locals do: on foot or by bike. Known for its extensive promenade, the Coastal Walkway offers eight miles of sea-edge, multi-use paths that run the entire length of the city from Bell Block mouth to Port Taranaki. Take in views of the Tasman Sea and iconic Te Rewa Rewa Bridge while exploring the downtown area, City Shopping Centre, Fitzroy beach, and fantastic selection of Indian restaurants.
With a temperate climate and rich volcanic soil, New Plymouth is well known for its gardens, including nationally-acclaimed Pukekura Park botanicals gardens and Pukeiti, a nationally renowned rhododendron garden.
See New Plymouth from every perspective. Look to the heavens from the volunteer-run New Plymouth Observatory or take to the sky with a scenic helicopter tour of the Taranaki Region. Explore surrounding waters and the protected Sugar Loaf Islands to see a variety of fish, seabirds, dolphins, whales, seals, and more. This collection of seven islands off of New Plymouth’s coast are the remnants of an ancient volcanic crater. Go beneath the water’s surface to see cliffs, canyons, reefs, and expansive sandbars.
On the other side of the city’s harbor is Paritutu Rock, another volcanic vestige. Climb its rocky slopes to take in stunning views of New Plymouth’s coastline, the not too distant mountains, and the waiving, kinetic art installation, the Wind Wand—a Len Lye designed piece. Vast and breathtaking, New Plymouth offers a taste of the wild meets the wonderful contrast that is New Zealand.
